Medicinal mushrooms are mushrooms used in the practice of medicine.
Many species of mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years and is best documented in the East. Medicinal mushrooms are now being studied by many ethno botanists and medical researchers. The ability of some of these mushrooms to inhibit tumor growth and enhance aspects of the immune system has been a subject of research for approximately the past 50 years. Preclinical studies suggest that compounds from up to 200 species of mushrooms may inhibit or slow down tumor growth, but required dosage and effects on humans is mostly unknown. Fungus research has led to the discovery of many pharmaceutical drugs, including penicillin, ciclosporin, griseofulvin, cephalosporin, ergometrine as well as the popular statin class of cholesterol reducing drugs.
What Is Ganoderma?
More commonly known as reishi, ganoderma is a hard, bitter mushroom used to promote health and longevity in traditional Chinese medicine. Proponents claim that ganoderma can relieve fatigue, keep cholesterol in check, curb high blood pressure, tame inflammation, build stamina, and support the immune system. It can be consumed as a delicious coffee.
OrganoGold
Although written record of Cordyceps sinensis use appeared in Traditional Chinese Medicine centuries ago, it wasn't really noticed in the West until recently. The last two decades have seen a great increase in research on cordyceps as a medicinal mushroom.
There are many reported cordyceps health benefits.
Some of these include:
Cholesterol reduction
Stimulation of the immune system
Faster recovery from bronchitis and respiratory diseases
Increased efficiency and stamina of the circulatory system
Anti-tumor properties
Liver protection and enhanced recovery from chemotherapy
Sexual potentiator (Hmmmm......)
A general body adaptogen, resulting in more energy, strength, and stamina
The reasons behind some of these benefits are still not fully understood.
Yet research has found some promising proof behind cordyceps claims.
A few of the helpful constituents found are:
Sterols - Alcohols of the steroid group. Believed to lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and possibly have some anti-tumor properties.
Polysaccharides - Complex carbohydrates made up of chains of sugars. Known to stabilize blood pressure, have an effect on free radicals, and stimulate the immune system.
cordyceps coffee
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These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified integrative physician prior to using our products if possible.
The Japanese Secret To Good Blood Flow Throughout The Body!
Are you looking for a much healthier, safer and effective natural alternative that promotes great blood flow throughout the body and reduces arterial debris that cause a heart attack or stroke?
Is your memory declining?
The Japanese have enjoyed healthy circulation, reduced arterial debris and the diminishing of many other chronic health problems for over 1000 years by using Nattokinase regularly. The body produces the enzyme plasmin to break down arterial debris. Unfortunately, plasmin levels decrease as we age, hence the build up of arterial debris. Fortunately, lab tests show that the enzyme Nattokinase acts just like plasmin to digest arterial debris, which left unchecked, could hinder blood flow to the heart, lungs or brain.
Unlike some pharmaceutical agents, Nattokinase has not been known to produce negative gastrointestinal side effects. Among its many remarkable properties, Nattokinase has shown the ability to: increase oxygen deliverability and energy, aid circulation, increase the availability of other nutrients and supplements, support healthy vision, augment bone density, and reduce pains associated with physical exertion.
Healthy Habits Nattokinase NSK-SD
is Non-GMO - meaning it contains no hazardous genetically modified organisms which may be present in lower-quality Natto products found on the market today. For the highest quality, standardized Natto ingredients, use Healthy Habits Nattokinase NSK-SD
today!
Our Heart-Cholesterol Support formula contains 400mg of phytosterols as well as salicin, a natural anti-inflammatory agent similar to aspirin, and nattokinase, an enzyme traditionally used to support healthy blood flow and minimize chances of developing heart and vascular diseases. We carry it in the office, and it is similar to the formula below!
The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.
You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment
If you're worried about your cholesterol and have already started exercising and eating healthier foods, you might wonder if adding a cholesterol-lowering supplement to your diet can help reduce your numbers. Although few natural products have been proven to reduce cholesterol, some might be helpful. With your doctor's OK, consider these cholesterol-lowering supplements and products.
What are the cholesterol treatment steps you need to take to get your cholesterol in the proper balance?
Perform a liver and colon cleanse
Exercise, exercise, exercise
Reduce sharp spikes in your blood sugar level through proper diet choice and eating smaller meals regularly.
Eat foods that lower cholesterol and avoid foods that increase cholesterol
Natural Prescription #1 Policosanol
Take 10 to 20 mg each evening. Numerous studies show that policosanol reduces total and LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and increases the good HDL cholesterol.
Policosanol is an all-natural compound derived from sugarcane wax that is believed to help support healthy cholesterol levels in two different ways: by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver and by reducing platelet aggregation, or "stickiness" that can lead to blood clots and cardiovascular issues.
Because of its potential blood-thinning effects (similar to aspirin), policosanol is not recommended for individuals taking blood-thinning medications (such as Coumadin) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen.
Natural Prescription #2 Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus)
Take 1,200 mg twice daily. This extract has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and increase HDL. The type of product used in successful studies contained 10 to 13.5 mg of monacolins per day. Note: Take 100 mg of CoQ10 daily when using this product.
Do not use red yeast rice to replace conventional care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
Do not use red yeast rice dietary supplements if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or are nursing a baby. If you are considering giving a child a red yeast rice dietary supplement, it is important to consult the child’s health care provider.
Do not take red yeast rice in addition to prescription statin drugs. Red Yeast Rice
Natural Prescription #3 Garlic (Allium sativum)
Take 300 to 500 mg twice of aged garlic daily. It reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol.
Natural Prescription #4 Niacin (inositol hexaniacinate, or IP6)
Take 1,500 to 3,000 mg daily of the no-flush form (inositol hexaniacinate). It reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol. Slo-Niacin Polygel Controlled-Release Niacin, 500 mg, 100 Tablets
Super Prescription #5 Fish oil
Take a daily dosage of a fish oil product containing at least 480 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA. Fish oil reduces inflammation in the arteries and lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Fish Oil Enteric Coated High Potency 90 Count vital choice salmon oil
Super Prescription #6 Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
Take a daily total of 1,500 mg standardized to 5 percent guggulsterone (equivalent to 75 mg of guggulsterones). Guggul, an Ayurvedic herb, reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL. A twelve-week study demonstrated that 1,500 mg of guggulipid reduced total cholesterol by an average of 22 percent and triglycerides by 25 percent. A different study of 233 people with elevated cholesterol levels showed that Guggul worked better than the cholesterol-lowering drug clofibrate. Only people who took Guggul had improvements in HDL cholesterol. Himalaya Pure Herbs Guggul, Cholesterol Support, 7.5 mg Guggulsterone, 60 Vegetarian Capsules, (Pack of 2)
Natural Prescription #7 Antioxidant formula
Take a complex of antioxidants or a multivitamin, as directed on container. Several of the antioxidants prevent cholesterol oxidation.
Acai berries are among the very best sources of naturally-occurring plant sterols and stanols
Plant sterols in blueberry bind to receptors to decrease free cholesterol in the blood; Green tea contains compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are 40 times stronger than vitamins C and E in their ability to mop up free radical damage all over your body - but especially in your cardiovascular system. The polyphenols in green tea help slow the absorption of extra triglycerides in the blood. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition states that green tea can reduce triglycerides as much as 20%.
Gingko biloba has been traditionally used to lower blood cholesterol for centuries; it has also been used to help lower blood pressure.
Privita contains Pomegranate and Green Tea (antioxidant as well as plant sterols) Acai/Resveratrol/Macqui- contains Green Tea, grapeseed and Acai (antioxidant as well as plant sterols) Rhodigandha contains Pomegranate, Acai and Blueberry (antioxidant as well as plant sterols) Green Cell Therapy Contains spinach, red yeast rice, Flaxseed, Coenzyme Q10 and alfalfa (antioxidant, heart health as well as plant sterols) Octovite- contains Vitamin C and E,fish oil, NAC, gingko biloba, rutin, lycopene, lutein, bilberry, goldenseal
Natural Prescription #8 Plant Sterols
Blood cholesterol is derived from the diet and synthesized in the liver. Plant sterols are naturally occurring plant compounds that have structures similar to, yet slightly different from cholesterol. Typical plant sterols are compounds such as Beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol and can be found in vegetables, fruits. legumes, nuts, grains and certain oils. Research has shown that these compounds compete with the absorption of dietary cholesterol as well as inhibit the reabsorption of endogenous cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementation with plant sterols can significantly lower cholesterol levels and have been shown to work synergistically with other therapies for lowering cholesterol. Numerous foods including orange juice, rice drink, and margarine now incorporate plant sterols, or sterol esters. lncreasingly, dietary supplements are now incorporating plant sterols and using the health claim that has been allowed for products containing at least 800 mg of plant sterols daily. The real catch, however, is that plant sterols appear to be most effective in dosages of one to two grams per day. The average American, according to Udo Erasmus, Ph.D., and author of Choosing Healthy Fats, gets a paltry 200 milligrams of plant sterols per day. A typical vegetarian diet contains roughly 350 milligrams per day. Even the most sterol-rich diet in the world, the Japanese, includes only about 400 milligrams on a daily basis. In short, says Judd, you “can’t even come close” to consuming enough plant sterols to have a significant impact on your LDL cholesterol through natural foods alone. Nature Made Cholest-Off 240 Caplets (Cholest Off ) Benecol Smart Chews-Caramel-120 ct (Quantity of 2) Imagine Rice Dream Drink, Heartwise Vanilla, 32-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)
Natural Prescription #9 Sytrinol
Sytrinol is a unique and powerful ingredient for maintaining cholesterol and triglycerides. It is a patented combination of citrus PMFs (polymethoxylated flavones) and alpha, delta and gamma tocotrienols derived from palm fruit (U.S. patents #6,251,400, and #6,239,114). Clinical studies in both animals and humans support Sytrinol's role in reducing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol as well as triglycerides.
Its action includes
1) Decreases apolipoprotein B which is needed for LDL cholesterol synthesis
2) Decreases action of an enzyme in the liver that makes triglycerides
3) Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, the enzyme responsible for regulating cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Sytrinol provides a patented and well-researched combination of flavonoids derived from the peel of tangerines and tocotrienols derived from palm. Within the peel of certain fruits, compounds belonging to a class of flavonoids called polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) can be found.
Cardio-Edge is a scientifically-based cardiovascular and cholesterol support with Sytrinol, plant sterols and pomegranate extract.
The combination of Sytrinol, plant sterols, and pomegranate extract present in Cardio-Edge results in a formula that embodies the most recent science to help maintain cardiovascular health and support healthy cholesterol levels.
Coupled with other nutrients that are well-known for their cardioprotective properties such as Coenzyme q-10, Vitamin B complex, and Omega 3 fatty acids, the addition of Sytrinol, pomegranate and plant sterols (Cardio-Edge) offer strong new weapons to help maintain optimal cardiovascular health.
Natural Prescription #11 HDL RX
HDL Rx is an all-inclusive formula combining essential vitamins and minerals, at levels recommended by the American Heart Association, with key amino acids, powerful antioxidants and traditional herbal extracts to provide superior support for cardiovascular health.
Clinically studied at Scripps Memorial Hospital (La Jolla, CA), HDL Rx has been shown to increase beneficial HDL levels up to 23% and increase HDL-2 (the best cholesterol) 50%. It also has been shown to reduce homocysteine and hsCRP levels and support healthy blood circulation. This is a 6 month study led by Dr. Goodman who has also designed the formulation of HDL Rx.
Natural Prescription #12 Colon and Liver Cleanse
A liver cleanse is an important part of a natural cholesterol treatment plan. Your liver creates 3 to 8 times the cholesterol that a normal diet contains. If you cut your cholesterol intake completely, you would still be getting 75% to 95% of the cholesterol you are getting today. Performing a liver cleanse will make your liver more efficient and effective at performing all its functions, including making cholesterol. Therefore, cleansing your liver is one of the best things you can do to regain balance of your cholesterol. Be sure to drink enough water to flush the cholesterol and eliminate the excess. Acai Ultimate
Natural Prescription #13 Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an important antioxidant involved in cellular energy production, is made naturally by your body. In people with high cholesterol, levels of CoQ10 tend to be lower. In addition, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins appear to deplete natural levels of CoQ10 in the body. Therefore, some researchers think that taking a coenzyme Q10 supplement can be beneficial for those on statin medications.
Homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood, is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Some medical experts predict that homocysteine levels will prove to be as important as cholesterol in predicting heart health.
In fact, they expect measuring homocysteine levels will become a part of regular cardiac risk assessments.
B6, B12 and folate are useful in reducing homocysteine levels
None of the statements in this web site have been evaluated by the FDA.
Furthermore, none of the statements in this web site should be construed as dispensing medical advise, or making claims regarding the cure of diseases.
You should consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program, especially if you are pregnant or have any pre existing injuries or medical conditions.
The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than six ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, fish or seafood a day for people who need 2,000 calories. Most meats have about the same amount of cholesterol, roughly 70 milligrams in each three-ounce cooked serving (about the size of a deck of cards). But the amount of saturated fat in meats can vary widely, depending on the cut and how it's prepared. Here are some ways to reduce the saturated fat in meat: Select lean cuts of meat with minimal visible fat. Lean beef cuts include the round, chuck, sirloin or loin. Lean pork cuts include the tenderloin or loin chop, while lean lamb cuts come from the leg, arm and loin. Buy "choice" or "select" grades rather than "prime." Select lean or extra lean ground beef. Trim all visible fat from meat before cooking. Broil rather than pan-fry meats such as hamburger, lamb chops, pork chops and steak.
Use a rack to drain off fat when broiling, roasting or baking. The Nu Wave oven pro cooks using these methods. By using racks, it releases up to 250% more fat drippings than a regular conventional oven. Plus no added fats or oils are required. Instead of basting with drippings, keep meat moist with wine, fruit juices or an acceptable oil-based marinade. Showtime Ronco Rotisserie Oven
Cook a day ahead of time. Stews, boiled meat, soup stock or other dishes in which fat cooks into the liquid can be refrigerated. Then the hardened fat can be removed from the top. Eat chicken and turkey rather than duck and goose, which are higher in fat. Remove the skin from chicken or turkey, preferably before cooking. If your poultry dries out too much, leave the skin on for cooking but remove before eating. Limit processed meats such as sausage, bologna, salami and hot dogs. Many processed meats — even those with "reduced fat" labels — are high in calories and saturated fat. They are often high in sodium as well. Eat more seafood.
Try meatless meals featuring vegetables or beans — think eggplant lasagna, a big grilled portobello mushroom on a bun in place of a burger, or beans-n-weenies without the weenies. Or think of meat as a condiment in casseroles, stews, soups and spaghetti — use it sparingly, just for flavor, rather than as a main ingredient. The cholesterol in eggs is all in the yolks --- without the yolk, egg whites are a heart-healthy source of protein. Many recipes calling for whole eggs come out just as good when you use egg whites or cholesterol-free egg substitute instead of whole eggs. Replace each whole egg with two egg whites. For baking, you may want to add a tablespoon or less of liquid vegetable oil such as canola, safflower, sunflower or soybean for a moister consistency. Increase fiber and whole grains. Use olive oil or grapeseed oil instead of butter to sautee your vegetables, or grill them halogen infrared oven,George Forman grill countertop
The benefits of niacin include improved circulation, lowered cholesterol, healthy skin, prevention of diabetes, and treatment for osteoarthritis.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is naturally produced in the body and is found in many of the foods we eat. These include meats, tuna fish, poultry products, eggs, peanuts, vegetables, cheeses, potatoes, oats, brown rice, barley, wheat flakes and milk. Also rich in vitamin B3 are foods such as cereals and breads therefore they improve the benefits of niacin.
Niacin and Circulation
Histamine which niacin helps to produce is a compound that is capable of dilating blood vessels, which in turn improves circulation. This helps blood to circulate to the hands, feet and all parts of the body, which helps to prevent atherosclerosis or what is sometimes called hardening of the arteries. An additional effect of this benefit of niacin is reducing the risk of heart attack or other vascular diseases.
Niacin Lowers Cholesterol Levels
In spite of the many different cholesterol medications on the market one of the best benefits of Niacin is the lowering low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels. In addition to lowering LDL, the bad cholesterol, B3 or niacin increases the good cholesterol HDL or high-density lipoprotein levels. The HDL levels can be increased by as much as 15 to 35 percent, which is more significant than the 5 to 25 percent lowering of the LDL, which is still impressive nonetheless. If you have had a heart attack studies have shown that taking cholesterol-lowering drugs in combination with niacin can decrease the likelihood of a second heart attack.
Healthy Skin and Niacin
Niacin can help keep skin healthy and is used for a variety of skin problems, including inflammation, acne, rosacea, dull skin tone and sagging skin. Regular use can help reduce these problems. Niacin also helps the skin with moisture retention and aids skin’s elasticity and tone. You can use supplements but to increase the benefits of niacin on your skin, eat fish, meats, grains and green vegetables or other foods high in vitamin B3.
Niacin Helps Prevent Diabetes
There us evidence that niacinamide a substance contained in niacin may help delay the onset of insulin dependence for type 1 diabetics. There have been studies performed on animals in which have shown niacinamide can improve the effectivity of drug treatments that are used for diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is another story. This can cause higher levels of cholesterol and fats in the bloodstream. Niacin along with other medications can lower these however niacin may also raise blood sugar that can result in hyperglycemia. This can be very dangerous for someone with diabetes. Therefor you should only take niacin for diabetes as directed by your physician.
Osteoarthritis and Niacin
Niacinamide has been found to increase joint mobility. Also Niacin can reduce joint and muscle fatigue along with increasing muscle strength. Therefore vitamin B3 has been successfully used to treat osteoarthritis. If high doses are taken the benefits of niacin can be seen in around three to four months. The anti-inflammatory effects of niacin have been proven to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Taking vitamin B3 has also shown to rebuild worn out cartilage in arthritis sufferers.
Other Benefits of Niacin
In addition to those discussed above there are many other claimed niacin benefits, however they have not all been fully established. These include the following:
Treating Alcoholism
Decreasing the risk of cataracts
Mental Confusion
Promoting relaxation
Preventing Migraines
Production of adrenal hormones
Crohn Disease
Production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach
Treating depression
Lowered risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Preventing motion sickness
Production of sex hormones
Treating Schizophrenic symptoms
Treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD)
As you can see there benefits of niacin are numerous. However as with any type of vitamin or supplement you should consult with your doctor or medical professional prior to taking these on your own accord.
If you try to take niacin on your own—without your doctor’s supervision—you may take an ineffective dosage, or even a dangerous dosage. Or you may experience troublesome side effects that could be managed easily if you had the right information.
FDA Disclaimer
The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified integrative physician prior to using our products if possible.
I usually recommend Omega supplementation to almost everyone, but especially people with Hypertension, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Thyroid disease, Constipation, IBS, Eczema, Psoriasis and Depression
Some people avoid fish because they don't like the taste or because of the potential for mercury contamination. If this is your situation, then you can do one of two things. You can increase your intake of plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, or you can take omega-3 supplements.
Cold-water oily fish, like salmon, herring and tuna, are good sources for the omega-3 fatty acids, but there are plenty of plant-based sources of omega-3s you can eat if you don't want to consume fish. Plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flax seeds, canola oil, soy, walnuts and pumpkin seeds. Research suggests eating flax seeds may help to prevent cardiovascular disease, but the evidence is not as strong for flax as it is for fish oil and fish oil supplements.
Dietary modification to increase the consumption of cold-water fish (eg, salmon) rich in polyunsaturated fats may help to raise HDL-C. Capsules containing omega-3 fatty acids (1.48 g of docosahexaenoic acid + 1.88 g of eicosapentaenoic acid) have been formulated and are commercially available in some parts of the world (as Omacor). In a recent small study in patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia, treatment with this formulation for 8 weeks increased HDL-C by 8%, particularly the more buoyant HDL2 subfraction.
The Studies Look Promising…
The usual dose used in these studies ranges between 900 mg and 5 grams a day of a combination of EPA and DHA. In order to achieve this amount, one would need to consume a lot of fish. Therefore, supplements are typically used. Ingesting 900 mg of omega-3 fatty acids each day resulted in a 4-percent decrease in triglyceride levels after six months. The average effective dose used in most studies was between 2 to 4 grams, and this resulted in an average drop in triglycerides between 25 to 45 percent. The effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids on triglycerides is dose-dependent, meaning that the more omega-3 fatty acids ingested, the lower your triglyceride levels will fall. This works best when following a healthy diet. Omega-3 fatty acids seemed to affect recently ingested triglycerides more. Additionally, individuals with extremely high triglyceride levels (greater than 500 mg/dL) seem to derive the most benefit from omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
Also see my Niacin Blog for suggestions on increasing HDL.
You will notice that one of the supplements have CoQ10. It has been studied for congestive heart failure and I have recommended that people at future risk of heart disease add this to their regimen. You will need two of these to approach the content of the other products on this page. CoQ10 is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due to the high energy requirements of this cell type. For the past 14 years, the great bulk of clinical work with CoQ10 has focused on heart disease. Specifically, congestive heart failure (from a wide variety of causes) has been strongly correlated with significantly low blood and tissue levels of CoQ10. The severity of heart failure correlates with the severity of CoQ10 deficiency. It is naturally present in small amounts in a wide variety of foods but is particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver and kidney, as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel, and peanuts. To put dietary CoQ10 intake into perspective, one pound of sardines, two pounds of beef, or two and one half pounds of peanuts, provide 30 mg of CoQ10.
Testing is available.
http://www.gdx.net/core/one-page-test-descriptions/Essential-Metabolic-Fatty-Acids-Test-Description.pdf
http://www.metametrix.com/files/test-menu/sample-reports/Fatty-Acids-Bloodspot-SR.pdf
FDA Disclaimer
The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified integrative physician prior to using our products if possible.